Toyota 4runner 2003 Owner's Manual
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
SECTION
INFORMATION BEFORE DRIVING YOUR
TOYOTA
Information before driving your Toyota
Off–road vehicle precautions 242. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Break–in period 243. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 243. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel pump shut off system 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation in forei gn countries 245. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Three–way catalytic converters 246. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust cautions 247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Facts about engine oil consumption 248. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Iridium–tipped spark plugs 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pad wear li mit indicators 253. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage stowage precautions 253. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited–slip differential 254. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Your Toyota’s identification 254. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Theft prevention labels 256. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Suspension and chassis 256. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 256. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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241
Off–road vehicle precautions
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
This vehicle belongs to the utility vehicle class, which has higher ground
clearance and narrower tread in relation
to the height of its center of gravity to
make it capable of performing in a wide
variety of off–road applications. Specific
design characteristics give it a higher
center of gravity than ordinary passenger cars. This vehicle design feature
causes this type of vehicle to be more
likely to rollover. And, utility vehicles
have a significantly higher rollover rate
than other types of vehicles. An advantage of the higher ground clearance is
a better view of the road allowing you
to anticipate problems. It is not designed for cornering at the same
speeds as ordinary passenger cars any
more than low–slung sports cars designed to perform satisfactorily under
off–road conditions. Therefore, sharp
turns at excessive speeds may cause
rollover.
CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to
die than a person wearing a seat
belt. Therefore, the driver and all
passengers should fasten their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Avoid sharp turns or abrupt maneu-
vers, if at all possible. Failure to
operate this vehicle correctly may
result in loss of control or vehicle
rollover causing death or serious
injury.
Loading cargo on the roof luggage
carrier will make the center of the
vehicle gravity higher. Avoid high
speeds, sudden starts, sharp turns,
sudden braking or abrupt maneuvers, otherwise it may result in loss
of control or vehicle rollover due to
failure to operate this vehicle correctly.
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Always slow down in gusty cross-
winds. Because of its profile and
higher center of gravity, your vehicle is more sensitive to side
winds than an ordinary passenger
car. Slowing down will allow you to
have better control.
When driving off–road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
Do not drive horizontally across
steep slopes. Driving straight up or
straight down is preferred. Your vehicle (or any similar off–road vehicle) can tip over sideways much
more easily than forward or backward.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Break–in period Fuel
Drive gently and avoid high speeds.
Your vehicle does not need an elaborate
break–in. But following a few simple tips
for the first 1600 km (1000 miles) can add
to the future economy and long life of
your vehicle:
Avoid full throttle acceleration when
starting and driving.
Avoid racing the engine.
Try to avoid hard stops during the first
300 km (200 miles).
Do not drive for a long time at any
single speed, either fast or slow.
FUEL TYPE
Your new vehicle must use only un-
leaded gasoline.
To help prevent gas station mix–ups, your
Toyota has a smaller fuel tank opening.
The special nozzle on pumps with unleaded fuel will fit it, but the larger standard nozzle on pumps with leaded gas will
not.
At a minimum, the gasoline you use
should meet the specifications of ASTM
D4814 in the U.S.A. and CGSB 3.5–M93
in Canada.
Do not tow a trailer during the first 800
km (500 miles).
Do not use leaded gasoline. Use of
leaded gasoline will cause the three–
way catalytic converter to lose its effectiveness and the emission control
system to function improperly. Also,
this can increase maintenance costs.
NOTICE
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OCTANE RATING
Select Octane Rating 87 (Research
Octane Number 91) or higher. For
improved vehicle performance, the use
of premium unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane
Number 96) or higher is recommended.
Use of unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating or research octane number lower
than stated above will cause persistent
heavy knocking. If it is severe, this will
lead to engine damage.
If your engine knocks...
If you detect heavy knocking even when
using the recommended fuel, or if you
hear steady knocking while holding a
steady speed on level roads, consult your
Toyota dealer.
However, occasionally, you may notice
light knocking for a short time while accelerating or driving up hills. This is normal
and there is no need for concern.
GASOLINE CONTAINING DETERGENT
ADDITIVES
Toyota recommends the use of gasoline
that contains detergent additives to
avoid build–up of engine deposits.
However, all gasoline sold in the U.S.
contains detergent additives to keep clean
and/or clean intake systems.
QUALITY GASOLINE
Automotive manufacturers in the U.S.,
Europe and Japan have developed a
specification for quality fuel named
World–Wide Fuel Charter (WWFC) that
is expected to be applied world wide.
The WWFC consists of three categories
that depend on required emission levels. In the U.S., category 3 has been
adopted. The WWFC improves air quality by providing for better emissions in
vehicle fleets, and customer satisfaction
through better vehicle performance.
CLEANER BURNING GASOLINE
Cleaner burning gasoline, including re-
formulated gasoline that contains oxygenates such as ethanol or MTBE is
available in many areas.
Toyota recommends the use of cleaner
burning gasoline and appropriately blended
reformulated gasoline. These types of gasoline provide excellent vehicle performance, reduce vehicle emissions, and improve air quality.
OXYGENATES IN GASOLINE
Toyota allows the use of oxygenate
blended gasoline where the oxygenate
content is up to 10% ethanol or 15%
MTBE. If you use gasohol in your
Toyota, be sure that it has an octane
rating no lower than 87.
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline containing methanol.
GASOLINE CONTAINING MMT
Some gasoline contain an octane en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl).
Toyota does not recommend the use of
gasoline that contains MMT. If fuel containing MMT is used, your emission control system may be adversely affected.
The Malfunction Indicator Lamp on the instrument cluster may come on. If this happens, contact your Toyota dealer for service.
GASOLINE QUALITY
In a very few cases, you may experience
driveability problems caused by the particular gasoline that you are using. If you
continue to have unacceptable driveability,
try changing gasoline brands. If this does
not rectify your problem, then consult your
Toyota dealer.
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NOTICE
Do not use gasohol other than
stated above. It will cause fuel system damage or vehicle performance
problems.
If driveability problems occur (poor
hot starting, vaporizing, engine
knock, etc.), discontinue the use.
Take care not to spill gasohol during refueling. Gasohol may cause
paint damage.
FUEL TANK CAPACITY
87 L (23.0 gal., 19.1 Imp. gal.)
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Fuel pump shut off system Operation in foreign countries
The fuel pump shut off system stops supplying fuel to the engine to minimize the
risk of fuel leakage when the engine stalls
or an airbag inflates upon collision. To
restart the engine after the fuel pump shut
off system activates, turn the ignition
switch to “ACC” or “LOCK” once and start
it.
CAUTION
Inspect the ground under the vehicle
before restarting the engine. If you
find that liquid has leaked onto the
ground, it is the fuel system has
been damaged and it is in need of
repair. In this case, do not restart the
engine.
If you plan to drive your Toyota in
another country...
First, comply with the vehicle registration
laws.
Second, confirm the availability of the cor-
rect fuel (unleaded and minimum octane
number).
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Three–way catalytic converters
1GR–FE engine
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
The three–way catalytic converter is an
emission control device installed in the
exhaust system.
The purpose is to reduce pollutants in the
exhaust gas.
CAUTION
Keep people and combustible mate-
rials away from the exhaust pipe
while the engine is running. The
exhaust gas is very hot.
Do not idle or park your vehicle
over anything that might burn easily such as grass, leaves, paper or
rags.
NOTICE
A large amount of unburned gases
flowing into the three–way catalytic
converter may cause it to overheat
and create a fire hazard. To prevent
this and other damage, observe the
following precautions:
Use only unleaded gasoline.
Do not drive with an extremely low
fuel level; running out of fuel could
cause the engine to misfire, creating an excessive load on the three–
way catalytic converter.
Do not allow the engine to run at
idle speed for more than 20 minutes.
Avoid racing the engine.
Do not push–start or pull–start your
vehicle.
Do not turn off the ignition while
the vehicle is moving.
2UZ–FE engine
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Keep your engine in good running
order. Malfunctions in the engine
electrical system, electronic ignition
system/distributor ignition system
or fuel systems could cause an extremely high three–way catalytic
converter temperature.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, take your
vehicle in for a check–up as soon
as possible. Remember, your Toyota
dealer knows your vehicle and its
three–way catalytic converter system best.
To ensure that the three–way catalytic converter and the entire emission control system operate properly, your vehicle must receive the
periodic inspections required by the
Toyota Maintenance Schedule. For
scheduled maintenance information,
refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance
Guide” or “Owner’s Manual Supplement”.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Engine exhaust cautions
CAUTION
Avoid inhaling the engine exhaust.
It contains carbon monoxide, which
is a colorless and odorless gas. It
can cause unconsciousness or even
death.
Make sure the exhaust system has
no holes or loose connections. The
system should be checked from
time to time. If you hit something,
or notice a change in the sound of
the exhaust, have the system
checked immediately.
Do not run the engine in a garage
or enclosed area except for the
time needed to drive the vehicle in
or out. The exhaust gases cannot
escape, making this a particularly
dangerous situation.
Do not remain for a long time in a
parked vehicle with the engine running. If it is unavoidable, however,
do so only in an unconfined area
and adjust the heating or cooling
system to force outside air into the
vehicle.
Keep the back door and back win-
dow closed while driving. An open
or unsealed back door and back
window, may cause exhaust gases
to be drawn into the vehicle.
To allow proper operation of your
vehicle’s ventilation system, keep
the inlet grilles in front of the windshield clear of snow, leaves, or other obstructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes in the
vehicle, drive with the windows
open and the back door and back
window closed. Have the cause immediately located and corrected.
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Facts about engine oil
consumption
FUNCTIONS OF ENGINE OIL
Engine oil has the primary functions of
lubricating and cooling the inside of the
engine, and plays a major role in maintaining the engine in proper working order.
ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION
It is normal that an engine should con-
sume some engine oil during normal
engine operation. The causes of oil
consumption in a normal engine are as
follows.
Oil is used to lubricate pistons, piston
rings and cylinders. A thin film of oil
is left on the cylinder wall when a piston moves downwards in the cylinder.
High negative pressure generated when
the vehicle is decelerating sucks some
of this oil into the combustion chamber.
This oil as well as some part of the oil
film left on the cylinder wall is burned
by the high temperature combustion
gases during the combustion process.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Oil is also used to lubricate the stems
of the intake valves. Some of this oil
is sucked into the combustion chamber
together with the intake air and is
burned along with the fuel. High temperature exhaust gases also burn the
oil used to lubricate the exhaust valve
stems.
The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the viscosity of the oil, the
quality of the oil and the conditions the
vehicle is driven under.
More oil is consumed by high–speed driving and frequent acceleration and deceleration.
A new engine consumes more oil, since
its pistons, piston rings and cylinder walls
have not become conditioned.
Oil consumption: Max. 1.0 L per 1000
km (1.1 qt./600 miles, 0.9 lmp. qt./600
miles)
When judging the amount of oil consumption, note that the oil may become
diluted and make it difficult to judge
the true level accurately.
As an example, if a vehicle is used for
repeated short trips, and consumes a normal amount of oil, the dipstick may not
show any drop in the oil level at all, even
after 1000 km (600 miles) or more. This
is because the oil is gradually becoming
diluted with fuel or moisture, making it
appear that the oil level has not changed.
The diluting ingredients evaporate out
when the vehicle is then driven at high
speeds, as on an expressway, making it
appear that oil is excessively consumed
after driving at high speeds.
IMPORTANCE OF ENGINE OIL LEVEL
CHECK
One of the most important points in proper vehicle maintenance is to keep the engine oil at the optimum level so that oil
function will not be impaired. Therefore, it
is essential that the oil level be checked
regularly. Toyota recommends that the oil
level be checked every time you refuel
the vehicle.
NOTICE
Failure to check the oil level regularly
could lead to serious engine trouble
due to insufficient oil.
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For detailed information on oil level check,
see “Checking the engine oil level” on
page 324 in Section 7–2.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Iridium–tipped spark plugs
(2UZ–FE engine)
Brake system
This brake system has 2 independent hydraulic circuits. If either circuit should fail,
the other will still work. However, the pedal will be harder to press, and your stopping distance will increase. Also, the
brake system warning light may come on.
CAUTION
Do not drive your vehicle with only a
single brake system. Have your
brakes fixed immediately.
Your engine is fitted with iridium–tipped
spark plugs.
NOTICE
Use only iridium–tipped spark plugs
and do not adjust gaps for your engine performance and smooth driveability.
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BRAKE BOOSTER
The brake booster uses brake fluid pressurized by the pump to power–assist the
brakes. If the brake booster fails during
driving, the brake system warning light
comes on and buzzer sounds continuously. In this case, the brakes may not work
properly. If they do not work well, depress
the brake pedal firmly. If the brake system
warning light comes on, immediately stop
your vehicle and contact your Toyota dealer.
It is not a malfunction that the brake system warning light may stay on for 60 seconds after the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position.
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Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the brake system warning
light and buzzer. It is normal if the light
turns off and the buzzer stops sounding
after a few seconds.
You may hear a small sound in the engine
compartment after the engine is started or
the brake pedal is depressed repeatedly.
This is a pump pulsating sound of the
brake system, and it is not a malfunction.
CAUTION
Do not pump the brake pedal if the
engine stalls. Each push on the
pedal uses up your brake fluid
pressure reserve.
Even if the power assist is com-
pletely lost, the brakes will still
work. But you will have to push the
pedal hard, much harder than normal. And your braking distance will
increase.
ANTI–LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM
(with “ABS” warning light)
The anti–lock brake system is designed
to help prevent lock–up of the wheels
during a sudden braking or braking on
slippery road surfaces. This assists in
providing directional stability and steering performance of the vehicle under
these circumstances.
Effective way to press the ABS brake
pedal: When the anti–lock brake system
function is in action, you may feel the
brake pedal pulsating and hear a noise.
In this situation, to let the anti–lock
brake system work for you, just hold the
brake pedal down more firmly. Do not
pump the brake in a panic stop. This
will result in reduced braking performance.
The anti–lock brake system becomes operative after the vehicle has accelerated
to a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
Depressing the brake pedal on slippery
road surfaces such as on a manhole cover, a steel plate at a construction site,
joints in a bridge, etc. on a rainy day
tends to activate the anti–lock brake system.
You may hear a click or motor sound in
the engine compartment for a few seconds
when the engine is started or just after
the vehicle begins to move. This means
that the anti–lock brake system is in the
self–check mode, and does not indicate a
malfunction.
When the anti–lock brake system is activated, the following conditions may
occur. They do not indicate a malfunction of the system:
You may hear the anti–lock brake sys-
tem operating and feel the brake pedal
pulsating and the vibrations of the vehicle body and steering wheel. You
may also hear the motor sound in the
engine compartment even after the vehicle is stopped.
At the end of the anti–lock brake sys-
tem activation, the brake pedal may
move a little forward.
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’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
CAUTION
Do not overestimate the anti–lock
brake system: Although the anti–lock
brake system assists in providing vehicle control, it is still important to
drive with all due care and maintain
a moderate speed and safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you, because there are limits to the vehicle
stability and effectiveness of steering
wheel operation even with the anti–
lock brake system on.
If tire grip performance exceeds its
capability, or if hydroplaning occurs
during high speed driving in the rain,
the anti–lock brake system does not
provide vehicle control.
Anti–lock brake system is not designed to shorten the stopping distance: Always drive at a moderate
speed and maintain a safe distance
from the vehicle in front of you.
Compared with vehicles without an
anti–lock brake system, your vehicle
may require a longer stopping distance in the following cases:
Driving on rough, gravel or snow–
covered roads.
Driving with tire chains installed.
Driving over the steps such as the
joints on the road.
Driving on roads where the road
surface is pitted or has other differences in surface height.
Install all 4 tires of specified size at
appropriate pressure: The anti–lock
brake system detects vehicle speeds
using the speed sensors for respective wheels’ turning speeds. The use
of tires other than specified may fail
to detect the accurate turning speed
resulting in a longer stopping distance.
Type A
Type B
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“ABS” warning light
The light comes on when the ignition key
is turned to the “ON” position. If the anti–
lock brake system and the brake assist
system work properly, the light turns off
after a few seconds. Thereafter, if either
of the systems malfunctions, the light
comes on again.
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
following systems do not operate, but the
brake system still operates conventionally.
Anti–lock brake system
Traction control system
(two–wheel drive models)
Active traction control system
(four–wheel drive models)
Vehicle stability control system
Downhill assist control system
(four–wheel drive models)
Hill–start assist control system
When the “ABS” warning light is on (and
the brake system warning light is off), the
anti–lock brake system does not operate
so that the wheels will lock up during a
sudden braking or braking on slippery
road surfaces.
252
“VSC TRAC” warning light may come on
with the “ABS” warning light (brake assist
system warning light) when there is a malfunction somewhere in the anti–lock brake
system (brake assist system).
If either of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction somewhere in the components monitored by
the warning light system. Contact your
Toyota dealer as soon as possible to
service the vehicle.
The light does not come on when the
ignition key is turned to the “ON” position, or remains on.
The light comes on while you are dri-
ving.
A warning light turning on briefly during
operation does not indicate a problem.
CAUTION
If the “ABS” warning light remains on
together with the brake system warning light, immediately stop your vehicle at a safe place and contact your
Toyota dealer.
In this case, not only the anti–lock
brake system will fail but also the
vehicle will become extremely unstable during braking.
Either of the following conditions may
occur, but do not indicate a malfunction:
The light may stay on for about 60
seconds after the ignition key is turned
to the “ON” position. It is normal if it
turns off after a while.
Depressing the brake pedal repeatedly
may turn on the light. It is normal if it
turns off after a few seconds.
DRUM–IN–DISC TYPE PARKING BRAKE
SYSTEM
Your vehicle has a drum–in–disc type
parking brake system. This type of brake
system needs bedding–down of the brake
shoes periodically or whenever the parking
brake shoes and/or drums are replaced.
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 P rod. (OM35820U)
Have your Toyota dealer perform the bedding–down.
BRAKE ASSIST SYSTEM
When you slam the brakes on, the
brake assist system judges as an emergency stop and provides more powerful
braking for a driver who cannot hold
down the brake pedal firmly.
When you slam the brakes on, more powerful braking will be applied. At this time,
you may hear a sound in the engine
compartment and feel the vibrations of the
brake pedal. This does not indicate a malfunction.
The brake assist system becomes operative after the vehicle has accelerated to
a speed in excess of approximately 10
km/h (6 mph). It stops operating when the
vehicle decelerates to a speed below
approximately 5 km/h (3 mph).
For an explanation of this system’s warning light, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 117 in Section 1–5.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Brake pad wear limit
indicators
The brake pad wear limit indicators on
your disc brakes give a warning noise
when the brake pads are worn to where
replacement is required.
If you hear a squealing or scraping noise
while driving, have the brake pads
checked and replaced by your Toyota
dealer as soon as possible. Expensive rotor damage can result if the pads are not
replaced when necessary.
Luggage stowage precautions
When stowing luggage or cargo in the
vehicle, observe the following:
Put luggage or cargo in the luggage
compartment when at all possible. Be
sure all items are secured in place.
Be careful to keep the vehicle bal-
anced. Locating the weight as far forward as possible helps maintain balance.
For better fuel economy, do not carry
unneeded weight.
CAUTION
To prevent luggage or packages
from sliding forward during braking,
do not stack anything in the luggage compartment higher than the
seatbacks. Keep luggage or packages low, as close to the floor as
possible.
Do not exceed 66 kg (145 lb.) of
cargo load in the luggage compartment.
Do not place anything on the flat-
tened seat or it may slide forward
during braking.
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Never allow anyone to ride in the
luggage compartment. It is not designed for passengers. They should
ride in their seats with their seat
belts properly fastened. Otherwise,
they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury, in the event
of sudden braking or a collision.
Do not place anything on the lug-
gage cover. Such items may be
thrown about and possibly injure
people in the vehicle during sudden
braking or an accident. Secure all
items in a safe place.
Do not drive with objects left on
top of the instrument panel. They
may interfere with the driver’s field
of view. Or they may move during
sharp vehicle acceleration or turning, and impair the driver’s control
of the vehicle. In an accident they
may injure the vehicle occupants.
NOTICE
Do not load the vehicle beyond the
cargo load specified on page 352 in
Section 8.
Limited–slip differential
(four–wheel drive models)
Your Toyota is equipped with a limited–slip
center differential (transfer). If one wheel
begins to spin, the limited–slip center differential (transfer) is designed to aid traction by automatically transmitting driving
force to the wheels on the other drive
axle. It transmits driving force to the front
wheels if a rear wheel spins, and to the
rear wheels if a front wheel spins.
CAUTION
Do not start or run the engine while
your vehicle is supported by a jack.
The vehicle could be driven off the
jack and could pose a danger or result in serious injury.
NOTICE
Use only a spare tire of the same
brand, size, construction and load capacity as the original tires on your
Toyota because damage to the limited–slip differential could possibly occur with another tire type.
Your Toyota’s identification—
—Vehicle identification number
The vehicle identification number (VIN)
is the legal identifier for your vehicle.
This number is on the left top of the
instrument panel, and can be seen
through the windshield from outside.
This is the primary identification number
for your Toyota. It is used in registering
the ownership of your vehicle.
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—Engine number
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The engine number is stamped on the
engine block as shown.
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is
also on the Certification Label.
1GR–FE engine
2UZ–FE engine
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Theft prevention labels
(except for Canada)
Your new vehicle carries theft prevention labels which are approximately 56
mm (2.20 in.) by 16 mm (0.63 in.).
The purpose of these labels is to reduce
the incidence of vehicle thefts by facilitating the tracing and recovery of parts from
stolen vehicles. The label is designed so
that once it is applied to a surface, any
attempt to remove it will result in destroying the integrity of the label. Transferring
these labels intact from one part to another, will be impossible.
NOTICE
You should not attempt to remove the
theft prevention labels as it may violate certain state or federal laws.
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Suspension and chassis Types of tires
CAUTION
Do not modify the suspension/chassis
with lift kits, spacers, springs, etc. It
can cause dangerous handling characteristics resulting in loss of control.
Determine what kind of tires your vehicle is originally equipped with.
1. Summer tires
Summer tires are high–speed capability
tires best suited to highway driving under
dry conditions.
Since summer tires do not have the same
traction performance as snow tires, summer tires are inadequate for driving on
snow–covered or icy roads. For driving on
snow–covered or icy roads, we recommend using snow tires. If installing snow
tires, be sure to replace all four tires.
2. All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
better traction in snow and to be adequate
for driving in most winter conditions, as
well as for use all year round.
All season tires, however, do not have
adequate traction performance compared
with snow tires in heavy or loose snow.
Also, all season tires fall short in acceleration and handling performance
compared with summer tires in highway
driving.
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CAUTION
Do not mix summer and all season
tires on your vehicle as this can
cause dangerous handling characteristics, resulting in loss of control.
Do not use tire other than the
manufacturer’s designated tires, and
never mix tires or wheels of the
sizes different from the originals.
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SECTION
STARTING AND DRIVING
Starting and driving
Before starting the engine 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to st art the engine 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tips f or driving in various conditions 261. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off–road driving precautions 263. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving t ips 264. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dinghy towing 265. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 266. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to save fuel and make your vehicle last longer 275. . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
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Before starting the engine
1. Check the area around the vehicle before entering it.
2. Adjust seat position, seatback angle,
seat cushion angle, head restraint
height and steering wheel angle.
3. Adjust the inside and outside rear view
mirrors.
4. Lock all doors.
5. Fasten seat belts.
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How to start the engine—
—Cranking hold function
Once you turn the ignition key to “START”
position and release it, the cranking hold
function continues to crank the engine in
“ON” position until it starts.
The function stops cranking the engine
after about 25 seconds maximum if the
engine has not started yet. When you
crank the engine again, wait a few seconds and restart it.
If you hold the key in “START” position,
the function will keep cranking for about
30 seconds maximum.
(a) Before cranking
1. Apply the parking brake firmly.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Put the selector lever in “P”. If you
need to restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, put the selector lever in “N”. A starter safety device will
prevent the starter from operating if the
selector lever is in any drive position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and hold it to
the floor until driving off.
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(b) Starting the engine
Before starting the engine, be sure to follow the instructions in “(a) Before cranking”.
Normal starting procedure
The multiport fuel injection system/sequential multiport fuel injection system in your
engine automatically controls the proper
air–fuel mixture for starting. You can start
a cold or hot engine as follows:
1. With your foot off the accelerator pedal, turn the ignition key to “START”
position, then release it.
2. After the engine runs for about 10 seconds, you are ready to drive.
If the weather is below freezing, let the
engine warm up for a few minutes before
driving.
If the engine stalls...
Simply restart it, using the correct procedure given in normal starting.
If the engine will not start...
See “If your vehicle will not start” on page
278 in Section 4.
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NOTICE
Do not race a cold engine.
If the engine becomes difficult to
start or stalls frequently, have the
engine checked immediately.
Tips for driving in various
conditions
Always slow down in gusty crosswinds.
This will allow you much better control.
Drive slowly onto curbs and, if pos-
sible, at a right angle. Avoid driving
onto high, sharp–edged objects and
other road hazards. Failure to do so
can lead to severe tire damage such
as a tire burst.
Drive slowly when passing over bumps
or travelling on a bumpy road. Otherwise, the impact could cause severe
damage to the tires and/or wheels.
When parking on a hill, turn the front
wheels until they touch the curb so
that the vehicle will not roll. Apply the
parking brake, and place the transmission in “P”. If necessary, block the
wheels.
Washing your vehicle or driving through
deep water may get the brakes wet. To
see whether they are wet, check that
there is no traffic near you, and then
press the pedal lightly. If you do not
feel a normal braking force, the brakes
are probably wet. To dry them, drive
the vehicle cautiously while lightly
pressing the brake pedal with the parking brake applied. If they still do not
work safely, pull to the side of the road
and call a Toyota dealer for assistance.
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Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension: When you drive on a
bumpy road, it is recommended that
the vehicle height should be set in the
“N” (normal) or “H” (high) mode.
CAUTION
Before driving off, make sure that
the parking brake is fully released
and the parking brake reminder
light is off.
Do not leave your vehicle unat-
tended while the engine is running.
Do not rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. It can cause
dangerous overheating, needless
wear, and poor fuel economy.
To drive down a long or steep hill,
reduce your speed and downshift.
Remember, if you ride the brakes
excessively, they may overheat and
not work properly.
Be careful when accelerating, up-
shifting, downshifting or braking on
a slippery surface. Sudden acceleration or engine braking, could cause
the vehicle to spin or skid.
Do not drive in excess of the speed
limit. Even if the legal speed limit
permits it, do not drive over 140
km/h (85 mph) unless your vehicle
has high–speed capability tires.
Driving over 140 km/h (85 mph) may
result in tire failure, loss of control
and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer to determine
whether the tires on your vehicle
are high–speed capability tires or
not before driving at such speeds.
Do not continue normal driving
when the brakes are wet. If they are
wet, your vehicle will require a
longer stopping distance, and it
may pull to one side when the
brakes are applied. Also, the parking brake will not hold the vehicle
securely.
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension: If you drive through
deep water over about 500 mm (20
in.) in depth, put the vehicle height
in the “H” (high) mode with the
height select switch and then turn
off the rear height control air suspension by pushing the “HEIGHT
CONTROL OFF” switch. Drive your
vehicle at 30 km/h (19 mph) or lower speed.
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Off–road driving precautions
When driving your vehicle off–road, please
observe the following precautions to ensure your driving enjoyment and to help
prevent the closure of areas to off–road
vehicles.
a. Drive your vehicle only in areas where
off–road vehicles are permitted to travel.
b. Respect private property. Get owner’s
permission before entering private property.
c. Do not enter areas that are closed.
Honor gates, barriers and signs that restrict travel.
d. Stay on established roads. When condi-
tions are wet, driving techniques should
be changed or travel delayed to prevent damage to roads.
For owners in U.S. mainland, Hawaii and
Puerto Rico:
To obtain additional information pertaining
to driving your vehicle off–road, consult
the following organizations.
State and Local Parks and Recreation
Departments
State Motor Vehicle Bureau
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Recreational Vehicle Clubs
U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of
Land Management
CAUTION
Always observe the following precautions to minimize the risk of serious
personal injury or damage to your vehicle:
Drive carefully when off the road.
Do not take unnecessary risks by
driving in dangerous places.
Do not grip the steering wheel
spokes when driving off–road. A
bad bump could jerk the wheel and
injure your hands. Keep both hands
and especially your thumbs on the
outside of the rim.
Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in
sand, mud, water or snow.
After driving through tall grass,
mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check
that there is no grass, bush, paper,
rags, stone, sand, etc. adhering or
trapped on the underbody. Clear off
any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering
to the underbody, a breakdown or
fire could occur.
In a rollover crash, an unbelted per-
son is significantly more likely to
die than a person wearing a seat
belt. Therefore, the driver and all
passengers should fasten their seat
belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
When driving off–road or in rugged
terrain, do not drive at excessive
speeds, jump, make sharp turns,
strike objects, etc. This may cause
loss of control or vehicle rollover
causing death or serious injury. You
are also risking expensive damage
to your vehicle’s suspension and
chassis.
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NOTICE
If driving through water, such as
when crossing shallow streams,
first check the depth of the water
and the bottom of the river bed for
firmness. Drive slowly and avoid
deep water.
Take all necessary safety measures
to ensure that water damage to the
engine or other components does
not occur.
Water entering the engine air intake
will cause severe engine damage.
Water can wash the grease from
wheel bearings, causing rusting and
premature failure, and may also enter the differentials, transmission
and transfer case, reducing the gear
oil’s lubricating qualities.
Sand and mud that has accumulated
in brake drums and around brake
discs may affect braking efficiency
and may damage brake system components.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Always perform a maintenance inspection after each day of off–road
driving that has taken you through
rough terrain, sand, mud, or water.
For scheduled maintenance information, refer to the “Scheduled Maintenance Guide” or “Owner’s Manual
Supplement”.
Winter driving tips
Make sure your coolant is properly protected against freezing.
Your coolant must contain ethylene–glycol
type coolant for a proper corrosion protection of aluminum components. Use “Toyota
Genuine Long Life Coolant” or equivalent.
See page 326 in Section 7–2 for details
about coolant type selection.
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or
plain water alone.
When it is extremely cold, we recommend
to use 60% solution for your Toyota, to
provide protection down to about –50C
(–58F). Do not use more than 70% solution for better coolant performance.
Check the condition of the battery and
cables.
Cold temperatures reduce the capacity of
any battery, so it must be in top shape
to provide enough power for winter starting. Section 7–3 tells you how to visually
inspect the battery. Your Toyota dealer
and most service stations will be pleased
to check the level of charge.
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Make sure the engine oil viscosity is
suitable for the cold weather.
See page 324 in Section 7–2 for recommended viscosity. Leaving a heavy summer oil in your vehicle during winter
months may cause harder starting. If you
are not sure about which oil to use, call
your Toyota dealer—he will be pleased to
help.
Keep the door locks from freezing.
Squirt lock de–icer or glycerine into the
locks to keep them from freezing.
Use a washer fluid containing an antifreeze solution.
This product is available at your Toyota
dealer and most auto parts stores. Follow
the manufacturer’s directions for how
much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any
other substitute because it may damage your vehicle’s paint.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
Do not use your parking brake when
there is a possibility it could freeze.
When parking, put the transmission into
“P” and block the front wheels. Do not
use the parking brake, or snow or water
accumulated in and around the parking
brake mechanism may freeze, making it
hard to release.
Keep ice and snow from accumulating
under the fenders.
Ice and snow built up under your fenders
can make steering difficult. During bad
winter driving, stop and check under the
fenders occasionally.
Depending on where you are driving,
we recommend you carry some emergency equipment.
Some of the things you might put in the
vehicle are tire chains, window scraper,
bag of sand or salt, flares, small shovel,
jumper cables, etc.
Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be
dinghy towed (with four wheels on the
ground) behind a motorhome.
NOTICE
Do not tow your vehicle with four
wheels on the ground. This may
cause serious damage to your vehicle.
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Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed primarily as a
passenger–and–load–carrying vehicle. Towing a trailer will have an adverse effect on
handling, performance, braking, durability
and driving economy (fuel consumption,
etc.). Your safety and satisfaction depend
on the proper use of correct equipment
and cautious driving habits. For your safety and the safety of others, you must not
overload your vehicle or trailer. Ask your
local Toyota dealer for further details before towing.
’03 4Runner_U (L/O 0305)
WEIGHT LIMITS
Before towing, make sure the total trail-
er weight, gross combination weight,
gross vehicle weight, gross axle weight
and trailer tongue load are all within
the limits.
The total trailer weight and tongue load
can be measured with platform scales
found at a highway weighing station, building supply company, trucking company,
junk yard, etc.
CAUTION
Vehicles with rear height control air
suspension: When disconnecting a
trailer, put the vehicle height in the
“LO” (low) mode and push the
“HEIGHT CONTROL OFF” switch to
turn off the rear height control air
suspension. Otherwise, the vehicle
height may be changed in the automatic leveling function, resulting in
accident. For details see “Rear height
control air suspension” on page 158
in Section 1–6.
266
For weight carrying hitch
Also for weight distributing hitch
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CAUTION
The maximum gross trailer weight
(trailer weight plus cargo weight)
must never exceed the following for
vehicle with equipped. For details,
contact your Toyota dealer.
According to the hitch receiver
type, the maximum gross trailer
weight and hitch that can be used
differs. Refer to the above illustrations to confirm the hitch receiver
type for your vehicle.
For weight carrying hitch
2268 kg (5000 lb.)
Also for weight distributing hitch
1GR–FE engine
Two–wheel drive models
3039 kg (6700 lb.)
Four–wheel drive models
2903 kg (6400 lb.)
2UZ–FE engine
Two–wheel drive models
3311 kg (7300 lb.)
Four–wheel drive models
3175 kg (7000 lb.)
If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 2268 kg (5000 lb.), Toyota
recommends to use a weight distributing hitch.
If towing a trailer and cargo weighing over 907 kg (2000 lb.), it is
necessary to use a sway control
device with sufficient capacity. The
combination of the gross trailer
weight added to the total weight of
the vehicle, occupants and vehicle
cargo must never exceed a total of
the following.
For weight carrying hitch
1GR–FE engine
4354 kg (9600 lb.)
2UZ–FE engine
4422 kg (9750 lb.)
Also for weight distributing hitch
1GR–FE engine
5034 kg (11100 lb.)
2UZ–FE engine
5443 kg (12000 lb.)
Exceeding the maximum weight of
the trailer, the vehicle, or the vehicle and trailer combination, can
cause an accident resulting in serious personal injuries.
Trailer hitch assemblies have differ-
ent weight capacities established by
the hitch manufacturer. Even though
the vehicle may be physically capable of towing a higher weight, the
operator must determine the maximum weight rating of the particular
hitch assembly and never exceed
the maximum weight rating specified for the trailer–hitch. Exceeding
the maximum weight rating set by
the trailer hitch manufacturer can
cause an accident resulting in serious personal injuries.
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The gross vehicle weight must not
exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating (GVWR) indicated on the
Certification Label. The gross vehicle weight is the sum of weights of
the unloaded vehicle, driver, passengers, luggage, hitch and trailer
tongue load. It also includes the
weight of any special equipment
installed on your vehicle.
The load on either the front or rear
axle resulting from distribution of
the gross vehicle weight on both
axles must not exceed the front and
rear Gross Axle Weight Ratings
(GAWR) listed on the Certification
Label.
Total trailer weight Tongue load
Tongue load
Total t railer we ight
100 = 10%
The trailer cargo load should be
distributed so that the tongue load
is 10% of the total trailer weight,
not exceeding the maximum load of
the following.
For weight carrying hitch
227 kg (500 lb.)
Also for weight distributing hitch
1GR–FE engine
Two–wheel drive models
303 kg (670 lb.)
Four–wheel drive models
290 kg (640 lb.)
2UZ–FE engine
Two–wheel drive models
331 kg (730 lb.)
Four–wheel drive models
317 kg (700 lb.)
Never load the trailer with more
weight in the back than in the
front. About 60% of the trailer load
should be in the front half of the
trailer and the remaining 40% in the
rear.
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HITCHES
If you wish to install a trailer hitch, you
should consult with your Toyota dealer.
Use only a hitch recommended by the
hitch manufacturer and the one which
conforms to the total trailer weight requirement.
According to the hitch receiver type,
the maximum gross trailer weight and
hitch that can be used differs. Refer to
the above illustrations to confirm the
hitch receiver type for your vehicle.
If you wish to install an aftermarket
hitch, the hitch must be bolted securely
to the vehicle frame and installed according to the hitch manufactures’ instructions.
The hitch ball and king pin should have
a light coat of grease.
Toyota recommends the ball mount as-
sembly be removed when not towing to
prevent injury and to prevent damage
in the event of a rear end collision.
After removing the ball mount assembly, install the grommet to the hitch to
prevent entry of dirt and mud.
NOTICE
Do not install weight distributing
hitch to weight carrying hitch receiver because it will be damaged
your vehicle.
Do not use axle–mounted hitches as
they can cause damage to the axle
housing, wheel bearings, wheels or
tires. Also, never install a hitch
which may interfere with the normal
function of an Energy Absorbing
Bumper, if so equipped.
1 Trailer ball load rating
2 Ball diameter
3 Shank length
4 Shank diameter
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TRAILER BALL
Follow these easy steps to properly determine the correct trailer ball for your application:
1. Determine the correct trailer ball size
for the trailer coupler. Most couplers
are stamped with the required trailer
ball size. The sizes you will most likely
find stamped on the coupler are:
Trailer class
III and IV 2 5 /16 i n.
II 2in.
I 1 7/8 i n.
2. Select the appropriate trailer ball to
match or exceed the gross trailer
weight rating of the trailer. The trailer
ball load rating should be printed on
the top of the ball.
3. When mounted in the ball mount, the
threaded ball shank must protrude beyond the bottom of the lock washer
and nut at least 2 threads. The trailer
ball shank must be matched to the ball
mount hole diameter size.
Typical trailer ball size
NOTICE
Only use a ball mount attachment
specified for the Toyota 4runner.
270
MATCHING TRAILER BALL HEIGHT TO
TRAILER COUPLER HEIGHT
No matter which class of tow hitch applies, for a safe trailer hookup, the trailer
ball setup on must be the proper height
for the coupler on the trailer.
BRAKES AND SAFETY CHAINS
Toyota recommends trailers with
brakes that conform to any applicable federal and state/provincial regulations.
A safety chain must always be used
between the towing vehicle and the
trailer. Leave sufficient slack in the
chain for turns. The chain should
cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping to
the ground in case it becomes damaged or separated. For correct safety
chain procedures, follow the hitch or
trailer manufacturer’s recommendations.
1 Coupler
2 Trailer ball
3 Ball mount attachment
2003 4RUNNER from Apr. ’03 P rod. (OM35820U)
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